The Legacy of Rabbi Moses Maimonides

This epigram was made famous by Rabbi Moses Maimonides who is known as the greatest Jewish philosopher and codifier of Jewish law in history. He authored the philosophical writing called “The Guide to the Perplexed” and the “Mishna Tora”—the great codification of all Jewish law. This twelfth century philosopher also created the so-called ladder of charity—a descending 8-step scale for appraising how worthy a charitable act is (OU. org, 2007)

It is from Rambam’s prolific writings about charity that Julie Salamon, a culture writer for The New York Times, based her major theories from and thus creating a highly acclaimed book—Rambam’s Ladder: A Meditation on Generosity and Why It Is Necessary to Give.

For most Americans, their initial reaction after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center was to help their countrymen—the victims of terrorist attacks. But in Salamon’s mind, her concern for her family comes first.

Trying to think only of guarding them from the terrors that has beset the country that fateful day, she felt selfish afterwards and in trying to understand her clashing emotions, she meditated and thus came her great work.

Get quality help now

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

Proficient in: Education

4.7 (235)

“ Amazing writer! I am really satisfied with her work. An excellent price as well. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

A meditation on philanthropic actions, on what motivates people to bond with others and how individuals and government alike deal out their assets mainly illustrates what this book is about. In her book’s introduction, she asks: “Why for some people does it take a cataclysm to set off a charitable response, and why do others automatically reach into their pockets when they see a homeless person approaching?

What kind of giving satisfies the need of a particular giver and where does that need come from? What are the rules? ” (Salamon,2003).

Well, as the saying goes, “to each his own”. And from that thought we need to discuss about the ladder itself. Rambam created these eight rungs almost a thousand years ago. At the top of the rung is the gift of self-reliance. It’s like in the saying “give a man fish and you will feed him for a day: teach a man how to fish and you will feed him for the rest of his life. ” By giving him something or finding work for him so that he doesn’t beg again means that you achieved the highest rung in the ladder.

Here are the 8 ladders of charity as Salamon describes it in her book:

1. Responsibility. At the top of the ladder is the gift of self-reliance. To hand someone a gift or a loan, or to enter into a partnership with him, or to find work for him, so that he will never have to beg again.
2. Anonymity. To give to someone you don’t know and do so anonymously.
3. Corruption. To give to someone you know, but who doesn’t know from whom he is receiving help.
4. Boundaries. To give to someone you don’t know, but allow your name to be known.
5. Shame. To hand money to the poor before being asked, but risk making the recipient feel shame.
6. Solicitation. To hand money to the poor after being asked.
7. Proportion. To give less to the poor than is proper, but to do so cheerfully.
8. Reluctance. To give begrudgingly (Salamon, 2003).

Why are people generally good? As Rambam said, the world is naturally out of balance and the urge behind all giving is to achieve a better balance. By understanding the ladder for yourself or by reading this book you will gain great insights in understanding generosity, donor motivations for giving to charity and the role that nonprofit world plays in philanthropy.

Reviewing these eight steps causes one to reflect on his own beliefs regarding how much to give or proportion, timing, solicitation and the boundaries by which you are willing and able to help. But as Salamon said we only need to remember that in giving, “there is no express elevator to the highest level of giving. ” We need to climb it rung by rung by beginning as reluctant givers and eventually step into by highest rung in the ladder. By fulfilling your needs and your honorable intentions to give out to others you are not the only one feeling fulfilled.

Aside from that you can also gain a friend. Finding our way to the top rung is a part of fundamental humanism. How often do you think about why you give? What do you expect? Why do you choose certain causes and ignore others? Understanding generosity is important in becoming a better person—a better giver for that matter and this thought-provoking read, with the author’s distinctive approach to her subject, is what this book is all about.